Truphena Muthoni completed her 72-hour tree-hugging challenge in Nyeri County on December 8, 2025 with no expectation of gifts, cash, or a national spotlight. Her focus remained on pushing her physical and mental limits while elevating conversations about deforestation, climate change, and mental health, especially among young people and visually impaired communities. Her effort drew steady attention over the three days as residents, environmental advocates, and youth leaders watched her maintain her hold on a single tree, including a challenging three-hour blindfolded stretch. What started as a personal mission quickly transformed into a national story as Kenyans rallied behind her resilience, originality, and drive.
The momentum around her challenge set the stage for a celebration at the Nyeri Youth Summit on December 11, where she received wide recognition and appreciation. Supporters and sponsors highlighted both her endurance and her commitment to environmental protection. Their contributions created a strong foundation that will help her grow her advocacy work across Kenya.
What rewards did Truphena receive for completing her challenge?
Adequate Safaris, led by Maureen Kabu, announced a fully paid six-day trip to Dubai during the Christmas holiday period. The offer came shortly after the event’s MC, Muthoni Baby Top, emphasized that her effort deserved something significant and not a standard vacation. Maureen confirmed that the package would include travel for Truphena and one additional person to ensure her comfort and safety throughout. She said, “We have a plan for people who will depart at Christmas, and because Baby Top has said we should not take her to Mombasa, we will now put her on the Christmas departure list, and she will go to Dubai and will be accompanied by one more person. So it will be two people.” Adequate Safaris later posted on TikTok explaining their decision to honour her milestone, stating, “Congratulations once again to the remarkable @truphena_muthoni from hugging a tree for 72 hours…and now we’ve decided to go big ✈️ We are sending her to the city of endless wonder, Dubai 🇦🇪 for 6 days with her guardian this December 🎄 to appreciate her spirit, dedication and impact🌏.”
Her recognition continued with a major long-term investment. Truphena received a parcel of land in Kilifi, complete with a registered title deed. Baby Top facilitated the gift in partnership with a local land company. While presenting the title deed, Baby Top announced, “And this lady has also been gifted a parcel of land in Kilifi. And here is the title deed, so she becomes a landowner. And the land deal has been offered by a land company.” The gesture was designed to honour her achievements and strengthen her financial future.
A cash reward of Ksh1 million was also granted through Baby Top and Odibets. The funds were allocated to expand her environmental campaigns, from community tree-planting efforts to awareness and education programmes that encourage sustainability. The announcement received loud applause from attendees who viewed the contribution as a meaningful way to boost local environmental action.
Truphena further received a series of gadgets intended to support her content creation, outreach, and advocacy. Dama Mobile Spares gifted her a Samsung Galaxy Fold 7 to help with TikTok and other digital platforms. Additional items included a Samsung S25 Ultra, a TCL tablet, and two months of talk time and data bundles from Safaricom. A representative from Safaricom highlighted the purpose behind these tools by saying, “And here we also have a Samsung S25 Ultra and a TCL tablet and we will also give her talk time and data bundles for two months.” These devices will enable her to document her initiatives, interact with young audiences, and expand her environmental storytelling.
How will these prizes support her advocacy moving forward?
Every reward she received aligns with the goals that motivated her challenge in the first place. The Dubai trip offers rest and inspiration after a demanding experience. The land provides long-term security. The cash support strengthens her capacity to lead environmental programmes and youth-focused climate conversations. The digital tools expand her reach at a time when online engagement is a key driver of modern activism.
Truphena’s 72-hour tree-hugging challenge began as a personal act of environmental and mental health advocacy, but it has now evolved into a platform with national visibility. Her resilience and message have not only sparked awareness but have also earned her resources to continue the work she believes in.
By Risper Akinyi
